UK Vintage Radio Repair and Restoration Discussion Forum - View Single Post

John_BS · 21st Mar 2011, 11:53 pm

Nice to learn that I'm not alone and hence not completely bonkers.

Tek 'scopes of the era which ended with the 475 are without parallel imho.

I started with a 453 (portable) with TV trigger option. This 'scope has just two pressed aluminium covers (top/bottom) which are both released from the main die-cast chassis by undoing two thumb-nuts: no tools required!!! It is astonishing that oscilloscopes made in c. 1970 are still working and in spec. These cost $2000 when new. That was around the annual starting salary for technical guys at that time.

I've since acquired a second 453, a 454A (150MHz version of the 453) and a couple of HP 1740A's (one with TV trigger). The latter are lighter than the Tek's, have bigger screens, and don't have a fan. But no, not quite the same build quality.......

21st Mar 2011, 11:53 pm	#15
John_BS Octode Join Date: Dec 2008 Location: Wincanton, Somerset, UK. Posts: 1,780	Re: Oscilloscope Collection / Junky Nice to learn that I'm not alone and hence not completely bonkers. Tek 'scopes of the era which ended with the 475 are without parallel imho. I started with a 453 (portable) with TV trigger option. This 'scope has just two pressed aluminium covers (top/bottom) which are both released from the main die-cast chassis by undoing two thumb-nuts: no tools required!!! It is astonishing that oscilloscopes made in c. 1970 are still working and in spec. These cost $2000 when new. That was around the annual starting salary for technical guys at that time. I've since acquired a second 453, a 454A (150MHz version of the 453) and a couple of HP 1740A's (one with TV trigger). The latter are lighter than the Tek's, have bigger screens, and don't have a fan. But no, not quite the same build quality.......